The Fourth of July holiday weekend is jamming U.S. airports with their biggest crowds since the pandemic began in 2020.About 2.49 million passengers went through security checkpoints at U.S. airports Friday, surpassing the previous pandemic-era record of 2.46 million reached earlier in the week, according to figures released Saturday by the Transportation Security Administration.The escalating numbers show leisure travelers aren’t being deterred from flying by rising fares, the ongoing spread of COVID-19 or worries about recurring flight delays and cancellations.
The human drive to bust out and explore is helping fuel a busy travel summer generally, packing flights and museums despite rising coronavirus infections and inflation.That’s good economic news: By some estimates, tourism provides work for one in 10 people on Earth.
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Many places, particularly those that have loosened safety requirements, are seeing what passes for a go-go summer of sunny optimism and adventure.“They are saying it’s the summer of revenge travel,” Pittsburgh resident Theresa Starta, 52, said as she gazed across one of Amsterdam’s canals at crowds thronging to the Dutch capital.
U.S. air travel is likely to set a pandemic-era record at least once over the weekend. But traffic on the highway is heavy too.AAA predicts that nearly 48 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home over the weekend, slightly fewer than in 2019 — even with gas averaging nearly $5 a gallon nationwide.
For the traveler in the summer of 2022, this all means more strategic planning. Here are some tips to up your chances of getting where you want to go this summer.
Photos: July 4th weekend travel is packed and pricey
Travelers wait to pick up their luggage at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Jae C. Hong – staff, AP
A traveler waits for a shuttle bus to arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Jae C. Hong – staff, AP
Travelers wait in for a TSA security check at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Jae C. Hong – staff, AP
Traffic builds up outside terminals at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Jae C. Hong – staff, AP
Airline passengers arrive at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on the first day of the July 4th holiday weekend Friday, July 1, 2022, in Chicago. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Charles Rex Arbogast – staff, AP
A Southwest Airlines passenger jet takes off at Chicago’s Midway International Airport on the first day of the July 4th holiday weekend Friday, July 1, 2022, in Chicago. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Charles Rex Arbogast – staff, AP
Arriving travelers move toward the baggage claim at the Philadelphia International Airport ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend in Philadelphia, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Matt Rourke – staff, AP
Travelers check in at the Philadelphia International Airport ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend in Philadelphia, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Matt Rourke – staff, AP
Travelers move along Interest 95 ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend in Philadelphia, Friday, July 1, 2022.
Matt Rourke – staff, AP
Travelers wait in a security line at the Philadelphia International Airport ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend in Philadelphia, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Matt Rourke – staff, AP
A gas price is displayed at a filling station ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend in Philadelphia, Friday, July 1, 2022.
Matt Rourke – staff, AP
Travelers hustle through a terminal at the Philadelphia International Airport ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend in Philadelphia, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Matt Rourke – staff, AP
A traveler moves through the Philadelphia International Airport ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend in Philadelphia, Friday, July 1, 2022. The July Fourth holiday weekend is off to a booming start with airport crowds crushing the numbers seen in 2019, before the pandemic.
Matt Rourke – staff, AP
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